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Obama Touts Budget as 'Economic Blueprint'

By

Henry J. Pulizzi

Updated March 17, 2009 11:04 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON -- Ahead of what will be a contentious fight over his fiscal agenda, President Barack Obama pressed lawmakers to pass his $3.6 trillion budget proposal, saying the package makes "tough choices" and lays the groundwork for long-term growth.

In brief remarks after meeting with Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D., N.D.) and House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D., S.C.), Mr. Obama acknowledged the partisan divide over his tax-and-spending plans but said tough economic times call for lawmakers to rise above politics.

"We're going to get some numbers with respect to the budget that may make this even tougher in the coming couple of weeks," he said, a likely reference to looming Congressional Budget Office figures. "The answers don't have to be partisan, and I welcome and encourage proposals and improvements from both Democrats and Republicans in the coming days." (See the text of Obama's remarks.)

The budget blueprint unveiled by the White House last month aims to slash the record federal deficit in half by the end of Mr. Obama's term, but also makes big investments in Mr. Obama's plans to overhaul the health-care system and follow through on other campaign promises. Republicans say the document relies on tax hikes and heralds the return of big government.

Mr. Obama made no apologies for the budget's ambition, saying it makes investments designed to make sure the U.S. doesn't return to economic growth that is based on speculation, bad credit and "some of the shenanigans that have been taking place on Wall Street."

"Such activity does not lead to the creation of lasting wealth, it leads to the illusion of prosperity, and as we're finding out, it hurts us all in the end," Mr. Obama said.

But Mr. Conrad and other moderate Democrats have expressed reluctance over the administration's budget, foreshadowing a difficult road ahead. Last week, Mr. Conrad said he had "great concern" over the rise in debt held by the public outlined in the budget.

"Because these are no ordinary times, I don't just view this budget document as numbers on a page or a laundry list of programs," Mr. Obama said. "I see it as an economic blueprint for our future, a foundation on which to build a recovery that lasts."